I think it's time we Impeach the President!

I think it's time we Impeach the President!

@"TO ROBBIE" & CORRECTION... Clinton did not have this nation out of debt. He did have a couple of years of budget surplus, but he did not have us out of debt, not by any stretch of the imagination. You are right that the previous administration did add to the debt, as did Clinton for the few years that we did not run a surplus. CORRECTION is correct in one regard, we've been in debt since Nixon, however, I would add that the priorities of our politicians interjecting so called "entitlements' into American culture began the trend towards debt nearly 80 years ago that we are paying for today. As it stands, nearly 70% of our tax money goes to these "entitlements" and paying the interest on our debt. Why would we want to add to that with an additional "entitlement" program. It doesn't really matter to me who caused the debt. I'm not pointing fingers. Debt under Bush is just as bad as debt under Obama. Debt is debt, and the country can't sustain it any better than a typical American household can. It ruins families just as it ruins nations. That's what makes this bill such a big deal. It represents much more than just health care. It actually has little do do with that. For all intents and purposes, it enslaves future generations to over burdening taxes and destroys working class families trying to live the American dream by taxing them out of that dream. That's why reform MUST focus on solutions that cut costs rather than add to them. We need to focus on ares where costs are sustained and get rid of them. We need the lawyers out of the operating room. We need onerous regulations scaled back and replace them with a system that is fair and predictable and get government the hell away from it. And we need to allow insurance companies to spread the risk as far as possible so that their burden to insure is as low as possible by opening up co-ops of individuals and small businesses where private companies can compete for their business. That's real reform.

@@@ "TO ROBBIE" "Clinton had us out of debt" Do some fact checking the U.S.A. has not been out of debt since Richard Nixon was president pal. You must be thinking of a "budget surplus" meaning not spending what was budgeted...but we were still trillions of dollars in debt.

If we didn't live in a Welfare state health care wouldn't be an issue. The free market is the only way to bring down prices. The more the government props something up the higher the cost for you and me. Also, if you wait to get health insurance until you get sick, that is not INSURANCE.

Edwards needs to voice his stance on the Slaughter Solution. We are on the verge of having a Rogue Government push the United States Constitution aside and embark on a dangerous course that has the propensity to create an armed revolt. The Democrats are willing to risk our freedoms to put anything they want into effect regardless of what the American publics wants. This is Communism in it's purest form. How about it Chet? Are you going to be a Snake Oil Salesman or our Representative?

Time for Democrats to be sent home.. This whole process has been a joke and should affect anyone running as a democrat. Enough is enough.

Two of the biggest pro business lobby groups praise Edwards and the Waco Trib. tries to make something of it. We need people of character in government. If government does not protect us from the "landed aristocracy" then who will? No matter how many AK-47s one owns, he cannot stop the most wealthy one percent from screwing the other 99% out of what little is left.

Our democracy was lost to dictators during the previous administration...when did that administration EVER try to do anything for you? I applaud the determination of the people VOTED into this administration because of the democracy we DO have in this country. WE NEED THIS REFORM.

http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/health_care/districts/new/TX17.Edwards.pdf

I GUESS NOW WITH THE "DEEM" (SLAUGHTER TACTIC) OF WHICH I AM SURE CHET WAS AWARE, HE DID NOT NEED TO VOTE ANYWAY. APPARENTLY WE HAVE LOST OUR DEMOCRACY TO DICTATORS.

Thank you Chet for standing up for businesses in Central Texas. You've brought jobs to this area and oppose bills that make it harder on businesses. That's what we need more of right now. Keep up the good work!

The "burden of debt" you are referring to was created by the previous administration. Clinton's (I know, I know but still) administration did not incur any debt, in fact we were out of debt. Government programs that could benefit us all are constantly crippled because of the fear of "big government". I WANT the USA to have an EMPOWERED government--one that can help its people! If you want a government that does not HELP ITS PEOPLE, go to any "third world" country and live there. You'll see what it is like living in a place where its people are not taken care of!

PEOPLE ARE AFRAID THAT HEALTH CARE REFORM WILL MAKE DEMOCRATS LOOK GOOD WHEN IT WORKS!!! THE BUSH/CHENEY GOVERNMENT REALLY HAD THE WOOL PULLED OVER OUR EYES, FOLKS!!! WAKE UP!!!

You cannot trust a swingvoter ie Liberal Chet!!! Achmed Pelosi has him under control and if the slaughter bill works he voted believe me!!!!! It just gripes me the Repubs here in Waco Area that have allowed favors from Chet and he has helped them prosper! You know who you are and what a shame to hold the rest of us hostage due to YOUR special interest!! MVP back off of the race card, why do the Demo-Libs have to always play that card!!!

MR. EDWARDS, YOU'VE LOST MY VOTE. WHAT ARE PEOPLE AFRAID OF WITH THIS BILL??? WE NEED IT SO BADLY...

Ok, I have read all the comments, most are just idiotic. Most are uniformed,and most are so slanted by biased its not funny. My point being is, the Democrats don't want us to know whats in the bill, and what it covers, and what it doesn't cover. They also don't want us to know the true cost. Even the CBO can't begin to estimate the cost of this bill over the next 10 years. All the President and democrats want is a legacy, well, if they do this thing, they will leave us all with a legacy of health care horror.

Medical care is cooked either way. Stick a fork in it. With all the debt we've voted for with the nanny state, foreign wars, and interest on the debt, if 75 million Baby Boomers cannot afford good healthcare for the current 30 million retirees, than there is no way 49 million Gen Xer's will be able to fund healthcare for us. It will be like it was 200 years ago... You could live until you got sick, and then you died. (Unless you're a Wall Street banker, work for Obama/Bush, or are somehow in the fortunate elite). Healthcare in 10 years will be like chamber music in the iPod era... Most people will have heard of it, but only a privileged few will ever have experienced it in person. And that, my friend, is something you will not hear on the MSM.

mvp, Those are possibly the most racist comments I've ever read. Are you suggesting that minorities cannot or are not, in any capacity, successful? Leave it up to the left in this country to interject race into any arguement that they are losing. I don't think that there is an American alive taht is against some sort of reform, but the most of us want something that at least resembles common sense, learns the lessons of other nations that have tried it, and fits in line with American ideals of individual freedom and liberty. This package being considered is irreprehensibly bad. It WILL bankrupt an already overly indebted nation and does absolutely nothing to actually improve the system. It simply transferes the mess from the private sector to the public sector and puts the burden of debt on future generations. No body, of any race, should support that. Let's look at marketable solutions that focus on cutting costs already imposed by government over-reach before we just hand over the controls to the people that handle the monstrosities of Medicare, Social Security, the Post Office, etc.

Ratso!!!Ratso!!! Are you just now figuring it out???

Why is the Trib legitimizing the EXTREMELY partisan US Chamber of Commerce? I think the article should mention this group exists to promote political aims and is not a government agency.

I'm gonna post pretty much the same comments I posted yesterday. Wacoans seem to have the perception that this is a great, booming area. It is not. If it wasn't for Chet Edwards, Waco's poverty rate would probably something like 60%. We all know how white people tend to commit suicide when they lose their job, their suburban or can no longer keep mama going to the beauty shop and tanning booth twice a week. Like I have said, most people are against health care reform simply because non whites would have pretty much the same options as whites. Just be real with it. When the average pay for all demographics in Waco is $8.50 an hour or $24,000 a year, how could anyone here not be in favor of health care reform? I hear people talk about how they pay anywhere from $200-500 a month for insurance. This is after what their employer pays. I'm alright with what I have, but still my premiums go up every year like everybody else's. I was behind a guy at a Walgreens one evening, and watched him pay $700 for a small bottle of medicine. Don't know what kind of medicine it was, but at that price it better be a life saving medicine...Chet, I'm disappointed in you son. Don't let these hypocrites here in Waco intimidate you. The nation needs this. Waco tends to run about 10-15 years behind every other place. I don't see how people were all for W. Bush running into Iraq over some oil, but are being stubborn and stupid about supporting healthcare reform.

I have an idea, let's just cancel medical insurance for all, that would make the republicans like the rich white boys in waco very happy.

Politics is a joke. People actually still believe they can cast a vote and make a difference. It's an ongoing battle that will never change anything for the better. I do my job, run my businesses, take care of my family. Screw a bunch of politicians, their bickering, and the people that waste their time bickering about it. We're nothing to them but ants on an ant farm that are supposed to break our backs and bust our a##es for them and all the freeloaders off the system. Get on with your lives and what little freedoms you are still left with...

Surprise! Another misleading headline in the Trib. Neither Havel or Hammond are "local business leaders" but hustlers pretending to represent small business; you know the type, hob-nobbing with politicians, jetting off to conferences etc. The real local people were outside Chet's office, ignored by the Trib, taking their stand against the chicanery now unfolding in D.C. by Chet's party while Chet meekly complains about the price tag on the onerous and tyrannical Democrat health care bill. Chet's offered no leadership in stopping this fiasco nor free market solutions while refusing to condemn the unconstitutional schemes his party leadership [of which he is part] has threatened to use to shove this dictatorial government takeover of our God-given freedom down our throats. He deserves our scorn and contempt.

So why are we angry that he's voting AGAINST the bill? What should we have told him to do? I have called his Waco and College Station office repeatedly the last time the House had the bill before them and heard from their staff that he was still contemplating his decision. Now he's voted against once and will do it again. What's the problem? Should we call his offices again and ask that he say "HELL NO" instead of just a plain, simple 'no'? I frankly am pleased with his vote and I feel y'all are just out for blood no matter what the man says.

John, Congressman Edwards works for US. We're supposed to be critical of him. It keeps him honest when crucial legislation, such as this, comes up for a vote. Unfortunately, for him, he's lost a lot of trust in his district with a number of other votes, so yes, people are being a bit harsh on him. He needs to earn taht trust back if he has a prayer of keeping his job in November..... NB, you've bought the Pelosi line. Very little of what you stated is actually truth. The AP is reporting this morning that this bill will cause your rates to actually increase. This bill does nothing to curb costs or reduce spending. It comes at a cost of $875 billion, and the House leadership and the CBO cannot agree on how much it will add to the already record deficit. The House will also be convening on Friday to discuss the 'Slaughter Solution.' They will be voting on an appropriations bill with an attached 'deemed' amendment for the health care bill. So yes, they will be voting on something other than health care to get it passed through the back door. I agree that we need portable, affordable, health care. That's why we need reform that reduces the costs to the system that we have in place. We need to take the trial lawyers out of the operating rooms. We need to scale back the onerous regulations that restrict to whom and to what extent insurance companies can issue coverage. And we need to make it easier for insurance companies to spread their risks and reduce their costs by allowing individuals to pool together into co-ops where private companies can compete for your business. None of that is in this bill, and that's why the American people do not like it.

Suprise, suprise-a poll paid for by the chamber of commerce shows voters don't like healthcare reform. It's not exactly a unbiased group. The fat cats don't want anything to mess with their profit margin. I've voted for Chet ever since I've lived in Waco, but no more, he's just another part of our do nothing for the people government. They don't mind pawning our future on 2 do nothing wars just so the bullet and bomb makers stay rich.

Go Chet Pelosi Go. You have to hand it to ol' Chet, he is a canny politician. He will do anything to keep from getting a real JOB.

"He voted against it because he was allow to", "He voting against it because it's going to pass either way" - what's all this? Have you people gone mad? I bet if Chet suddenly sneezed you'd all say he sneezed because he wants sympathy. It's such a shame to see people be so hypocritical of their own representative.

What A Lie ! Chet DID NOT Fight Health Care Reform. He simply agreed to vote no to it once the Dems knew how they were going to cram this down our throats, with out a vote, thus protecting the Dems up for reelection and making Chet look as if he was actually listening to the people of Central Texas, He knows this was an outright LIE, you should know also.

well let me see, i have some valuable land that i would like to sell all of you who believe chet. i will sell it cheap,but the catch is, i want it back in ten years and less than what you paid me for

Congressman Chet Edwards is part of an elite group of elected officials who has the best health care in the United States of America at the expense of the American taxpayers. It is hypocritical of Congressman Edwards to fight against giving the people what he already has. Those elected officials, who are fighting against health care reform, should relinquish their good health care benefits. The old saying “what is good for the goose is good for the Gander” is applicable in the ongoing health care debate.

1) of course there will be a vote, don't be stupid. 2) health reform HAS to happen or the cost of health care will continue to skyrocket due to waste and fraud. You want to reduce the deficit and curb government spending? That's EXACTLY what the health reform bill will do. Are you tired of your tax dollars going to provide free health care? Good news -- health reform will increase the number of people with private insurance and decrease the need for government provided insurance! 3) we need portable, affordable, accessible, preventative health care. We need robust prescription drug coverage to help manage chronic conditions in order to keep people healthy. We already have "socialized" medicine in the emergency rooms. The problem is that the e.r. gets you once you're sick and it costs a lot of money to treat you. With health reform people can go to the doctor to stay well, to get preventative care, and to lower costs. Small businesses can hire more full time employees because they will get assistance providing insurance benefits. Many small businesses won't have to pay a dime for their employee's health insurance under health care reform. Facts are facts. 4) I thought Republicans didn't believe in evolution (survival of the fittest),and yet.... 5) Chet, you know better.

Pelosi is going to pull this Slaughter rule where they do not vote and Edwards knows it. That is why he came out early saying I am against. Pelosi would not let Edwards vote aginst if votes were important. This is a sham

We need Healthcare Reform! I appreciate that President Obama and the Democrats have made healthcare an important issue. The Republicans could care less about healthcare and if they were still in power we would not be talking about this. However, the current bill just makes things worse. The designer of this bill did a awful job and should resign their position and walk down the hall of shame. We do need a good healthcare reform bill because the price of medical insurance is not affordable, just not this bill as it is flawed.

Representative Edwards' process - of evaluating the health care reform issues, understanding the specifics of the reform bill, listening to his constituents, consulting with medical and economic leaders about concerns, and rigorously wrestling with making the best decision that is right for the people he represents and for the country in general - has been admirable and a tribute both to us and to the American political system. Hopefully, incremental reform that is fiscally responsible and effectively rewarding the right medical values can still happen. Tim Martindale, M.D.

It is real sad for peoples not wanting to trust the law makers choices reguarding the health care bill when we spent and still spending us tax dollars in iraq for a unjust cause. We rather back something that didn't and will never benefit america. Most peoples that don't support the health bill are receiving money and health benefits from the us goverment. They keep cashing their ss checks and going to the doctors and hospitals using medicare and medicade benefits. The only choice you have with your insurance co that you pay your hard earn money with is to pay or not pay your premium to say i have coverage but the insurance companies make my choices. They tell us what doctors we can see or not see, what medicine they won't pay for. We had a choice once to get name brand or pay a lower copay and accept generic medicine. We no longer have that choice. If you get sick you are real luckey if your company don't find a way to laspe your coverage. It happen it real we need help or peoples will continue to suffer because they can't afford the high cost of insurance today not next year or ten years from now. Wake up america show some love for one another.